The Erasmus+ KA2 CBHE Development of Soft Skills at Higher Education Institutions of Armenia and Georgia in Compliance with the 21st Century Labour Market Requirements (DeSIRe) Project (101128804) was officially launched on February 26.
The event was significant for Vanadzor State University and was attended by the representatives of regional and city authorities, as well as representatives of Armenian, Georgian and European partner universities, university staff, VSU alumni and students. The main objective of the DeSIRe project is to enhance the national education systems in Armenia and Georgia focusing on soft- skills-based teaching and learning methodology, strategies and technologies.
The project aims to improve the students’ career prospects by aligning academic knowledge and skills with the demands of the 21st century labor market, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and entrepreneurial abilities of graduates.
Arpine Hakobyan and Anzhela Ter-Movsisyan, Master students of the field of study “English Language and Literature” moderated the sessions of the event. The Rector of VSU Rustam Sahakyan, the Coordinator of Erasmus+ National Office Lana Karlova, the Deputy Governor of Lori Region Hovhannes Avetisyan, Vanadzor Community Head Advisor Arman Bernetsyan, the Rector of Goris State University Tigran Vandunts, and the Coordinator of the Erasmus+CBHE DeSIRe Project Lusik Vardanyan gave official speeches emphasizing the importance of this Project. In his speech, Rustam Sahakyan wished the project members an effective and smooth implementation of all Project activities and thanked both local and foreign participants for contributing to such an important initiative, investing all their professional potential to design the content according to the requirements of the labor market. In the second part of the event, the partner institutions of the DeSIRe Project briefly introduced their organizations, spoke about their activities, strategic directions and social involvement. The cultural part of the day was enriched by the choir “Biaina” of Vanadzor State University and talented students, accompanied by the duduk, guitar, and qanun. At the closing of the day the DeSIRe Project Coordinator Lusik Vardanyan presented the main objectives and outcomes of the Project, after which the partner organizations briefly presented the Work Packages and the activities planned. The event was closed by a Q&A session and a group photo.